A controversial Fife school scheme has received national recognition after thousands of condoms were handed to pupils in a bid to cut teenage pregnancies.
Kirkcaldy High School and NHS Fife have won through to the finals of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Excellence Awards, to be announced on March 13.
School staff were nominated by Fife Council in the Reducing Inequalities and Improving Health category, which recognises excellence in public service.
The awards will be presented at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews, at a ceremony attended by First Minister Alex Salmond.
The school has developed an enhanced “in-house” clinic, providing advice, counselling, pregnancy testing and access to contraception, including support to attend a specialist clinic.
There has also been a redesign of sex education in the school, with small-group, single-gender lessons supported by school nurses.
Michael Matheson, Scottish minister for public health, visited Kirkcaldy High School on Thursday to learn more.
Rector Derek Allan said the scheme had helped lead to a “very significant reduction” in teenage pregnancies.
He added: “From the outset, we listened to what young people had to say and designed the new service to suit their needs.
“I am proud of how our young people have responded with such maturity and sense of responsibility.”
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance said he was delighted that the hard work of all involved “in setting up and running the ‘in house’ sexual health drop in clinic at KHS has been recognised.”